Hunting & Fishing Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

[strick9]

What do the rest of the meat eaters use in your 7s with success.

Build is 7saum,591 wsm, Brux 5 at 22 inch 9 twist.

Factors: consistency and accuracy, ease of tuning load , price, bullet integrity upon impact and energy transfer. Range 50 yds to 750 ish.

Honestly I believe I am leaning 162 Amax or 175 SMK and away from Berger but figured I would see what the rest of you have to say about it. If there are those among us with extensive experience with these two especially feel free to chime in.

 

[a220stw]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

it aint on your list, but we have had great results with 140 grain accubonds as well

 

[Nortex]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: a220stw</div><div class="ubbcode-body">it aint on your list, but we have had great results with 140 grain accubonds as well </div></div>

+1

I load Accubonds in all of my hunting loads they have all performed exceptionally well. That being said of the bullets listed I've seen and heard a good number of people recommend and use the Amax with good results, I may try them out on pigs this year just to see how they work.

 

[strick9]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

I do have respect for the Accubonds composition, but their BC listings are pretty low comparably. Maybe the 160 AB should be in the running.
Bullet G1 BC
162 Amax .625
168 Vld .617
175 SMK .608
180 Vld .658
140 AB .485
160 AB .531

 

[seven mm]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

The 175 smk has a g1 of .640 according to Litz. Using that data it matches out to 1400 for me. It is a great bullet that is super easy to tune and doesn't cost a boat load.

 

[Grand]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

I like the 162g for cost and ease of tuning, but, of the 4 you mentioned, I would pic the 168g Berger.

I saw someone shoot a 275 lb hog last year with a 162g from a 7mmRM on a quartering shot. The AMAX completely disentigrated between the rib cage and the 1 1/4" grisel plate. Non-lethal wound. Next shot went to the head.

 

[RedGoat]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

180 Berger Hunting VLD has my vote for best all around target/hunting one-size-fits-all 7mm load.

 

[Jedi]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

AMAX proven game getter

 

[JC189]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

Well you asked what some of the meat eaters use. So here is my opinion. Its hard to beat the Hornady SST for hunting. 7MM SST 154gr or 162gr. The 162gr Amaxs shoot real well, so do the VLD and SMK. But The SST's get my vote for staying together and always being consistant. I know some may disagree. And I know Dead is Dead. But the SST does a great job and doesn't destroy a bunch of meat that some of the others do. jmo. I have shot lots of Deer with SMK. And they do work OK on Deer. But after shooting the SST's I wont be using the SMK any more for hunting. Now when its time to go back to the range I will be shooting the SMK,s and the AMAX,s.

 

[slayer_21420]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

I've taken a handfull of antelope with the 162 amaxs' and have had very inconsistent results, one will come unglued on impact and hardly penetrate and the next will poke a pinhole straight through. I'm not at all satisfied with the results that i've gotten with them and will stick with the 168VLD hunting bullet from now on. Very consistent results, good penetration and expansion on everything from antelope to elk in my experience.

 

[JC189]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

If you like to shoot the AMAX'S try the SST'S for hunting. You will be impressed. They are very much like the AMAX in design but much tougher and hold together. very consistant. They have a G1 of.550, not bad for a good hunting bullet. I know the AMAX is G1 .625 but they come apart and are not consistant when used on large game.


SST-

Streamlined for ultra-flat trajectories.
Polymer tip for rapid expansion and maximum energy transfer.
Match-grade jacket delivers surgical accuracy.
Heavy construction with InterLock® feature delivers deep penetration every time.

This is from the Hornady site. I like em, give em a try. They work well.

 

[Engine 22]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Slayer_280AI</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've taken a handfull of antelope with the 162 amaxs' and have had very inconsistent results, one will come unglued on impact and hardly penetrate and the next will poke a pinhole straight through. I'm not at all satisfied with the results that i've gotten with them and will stick with the 168VLD hunting bullet from now on. Very consistent results, good penetration and expansion on everything from antelope to elk in my experience.</div></div>

^^ Ditto. I haven't had any experience with elk, but plenty with deer using the 168VLD. The only shot on game I've taken with the 162 Amax on an antelope @ 275yds, wasn't very good performance and I will likely stay with the VLD.

 

[weber61]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Grand</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like the 162g for cost and ease of tuning, but, of the 4 you mentioned, I would pic the 168g Berger.
</div></div>

+1

 

[bohem]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

In thick stuff like the gubbmint woods by you, I'd go with whatever flavor of Accubond or a Barnes the rifle likes to shoot.

Down at Doc's or on a place where the shot potential is past 350yd then I'd switch to the 162 Amax, 162 Match, 175 SMK or especially the SST's and GMX's. The SMK in particular seems to indicate that they've got a relatively thick jacket on them and it's a phenomenal match bullet. Past 500-600yd I'd go back to the 162's more to avoid the thick jackets on the 175's than anything else.

The 162's make a really nice "all around bullet"... you can also just shoot them with 2 different loads, one for thick stuff (at 7-08 type speeds) and one for places with long shots available at full speed.

Like someone mentioned though, the non-cannelured SST is a very good bullet that still maintains high BC's and was designed to do exactly what you're asking.

 

[vetski]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

Sorry to hijack, but does anyone have an opinion on the 150 scirocco? I have a 280ai about half done and will be working up some loads this winter.

 

[Nortex]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mike1023</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry to hijack, but does anyone have an opinion on the 150 scirocco? I have a 280ai about half done and will be working up some loads this winter. </div></div>

I've yet to hear a bad word spoke about the Scirocco's besides cost. If you can get them to shoot I seriously doubt you will be disappointed.

 

[mdesign]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

Might be interesting to run the numbers and see how they compare on wind drift. The 7saum should be able to run any of them well.

 

[strick9]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

Great comments and really didn't think I would see the 162 Amax almost tied with the 180 Vld in this poll. How many you fellers voted twice LOL.

Bohem having hunted down here knows that most shots are truly 50-200 tops, but this rig will also be traveling to areas around where 500-750ish is very likely. I really want one rig, one bullet, one load for simplicity.

The statement " Beware the man who only owns one gun comes to mind"

Additionals:

An exit wound is very very important in my locale as tracking through swamps even on a 50-100 yard run and flop is at best tedious, there must be blood from the bottom of the barrel due to the thickness of swamps and cover that the bullet must pull the bottom cork.

I don't do high shoulder shots, just hurts my feelings to much to see the front shouder roast full of bone fragments and contusioned badly. Center mass lung shots to save the heart, its delicious, are the norm for me. Do love a headshot though.

Concern Amax: close distance will depose of 100% energy and remain in cavity, thus no blood trail.

The 180 VLD is back in for me and may have the prize, even though the higher cost.

The SST is in the running as well. Low BC

175 SMK, thought it would have a larger following, really was pullig for this one.

168 VLD , why not? Becuase the 591 wsm allows the 180s to run and contrary to lilly lip thinking, bigger is better

.

Accubond, low BC as well.

 

[bohem]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">175 SMK, thought it would have a larger following, really was pullig for this one.</div></div>

The 175 really is an excellent bullet, even up close I think it will do what you want. It will poke holes on both sides while still hammering stuff on the way through. They're tough bullets, I have a friend that regularly shoots them from an 8tw 7 Dakota over 3300fps and they always make it downrange, I've never heard of him blowing one up.

BC is excellent too, very little that it gives up to a 180 Berger of either flavor right out of the box.

If the gun won't shoot them they aren't worth a damn for any of these, once the rifle is finished let me know and I'll hook you up with a selection off my shelf. I've got almost everything you're looking at.

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JC189</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you like to shoot the AMAX'S try the SST'S for hunting. You will be impressed. </div></div>

THIS !

 

[Ricky Perry]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

i've had good luck with loading 140gr federal fusion bullets on h4831sc in both of my 7mm's, the saum and the rem mag.

 

[BDunn]

Re: Best 7mm bullet for Hogs to Elk , New Build POLL

I use SSTs in my .280 Rem. Every animal DRT. I haven't tried any others listed.